Adjustable marker



Jan. 19, 1937. LS M RPHY 2,068,561

ADJUSTABLE MARKER Filed June 19, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN 1 5 7oz 147'GENE) Jan. 19, 1937.

L. s. MURPHY I 2,068,561

ADJUS-IIABLE MARKER Filed June 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEA/f'ozZ0117 Warp/7 Hr TQRHEY Patented Jan. 19, 1937 QNE'E'ED STATES PATENTOFFIQE ADJUSTABLE MARKER Application June 19, 1933, Serial No. 676,448

4 Claims.

This invention relates to lens mountings and particularly to devicesplaced'along highways to reflect the light from automobile lamps forindicating sharp turns, bridge abutments, curbs and other traffichazards The invention may be used also for signs generally and whereverit is desired to utilize a simple lens mounting which may be tilted toproperly direct or reflect light rays.

Road markers and signs of the reflecting type, in particular, in orderto be clearly visible to automobile drivers, must be in position toreflect light from the headlights towards the drivers seat. Thus 'wherethe mounting surface of the marker support is improperly inclined, orunsuitable for mounting the marker for any other reason, a specialsupport for the marker must be provided.

The main object of the present invention is to go provide a lensmounting of the above type which may be applied to the surface of asupport regardless of the inclination thereof, the body of the markerholding the lens being adjustable to the proper angle. :35 This objectand others hereafter appearing are attained substantially in the devicesillustrated in the accompanying drawings showing markers each includinga stationary base to be secured to the sup-port, or object to be marked,and a body part mounting the lens and itself adjustably on thestationary base.

Figure 1 is a front view of one form of the invention, a portion of thelens and its casing being broken away.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same, partly in section, taken on theline 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of a modified form.

Figure 4 is a section through the longitudinal center line of anotherform.

40 Figure 5 is a side view of the same.

Figure 6 is a section showing another modification.

Figure 7 is a front view of the same.

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure '7 but showing a detail.

The device in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a base portion I, perforated at2 for attaching bolts or screws, and provided with a central projection3 with an arcuately depressed forward or outer web 4. Web 4 is slottedlongitudinally, as at 5.

Seated against web 4 is the convex rear surface of body part 6 of themarker forming the lens housing. A screw 1, threaded into the rear wallof body 6, extends through slot 5 and the head thereof overlaps theedges of the slot and prevents separation of the base and body partswhile at the same time permitting relative movement of the same withinlimits defined by the slot. The screw 1 may be tightened in any selectedrelative position of the base and body parts to frictionally maintainthe same in said position. Obviously, the screw 1 cannot be tamperedwith to change the angle of the lens holder so long as the markerremains secured to its support.

Within the cup-shaped body 6 is a reflecting lens 8 which is held inposition by a ferrule 9 of lead or similar ductile material insertedfrom the outside and upset by a circular tool to snugly grip theabutting walls of the body and lens. This ferrule is shown and claimedin my copending application, Serial No. 676,447 filed of even dateherewith.

In Figure 3 the base portion 10 includes a plurality of pocketedprojections Illa for a battery of adjustable lens holders I l. Thedetails of this device are the same as in the form previously described.

In Figure 4, the base portion I2 is provided with a hemispherical seatl3 for the similarly shaped rear portion of the lens holder 14. Athreaded collar l5, which may be locked in place by suitable means, notshown, maintains the ball joint connection between the base and lensholder parts, and a screw I50. serves to secure the parts in anyselected relative position. The lens I6 is secured in position by meansof a lead ferrule I1, as in the previous figures.

In Figures 5 to 8, the marker base 23 is applied to a post 24 and has aV-shaped projection 25 disposed to seat in any of the radial serrations26 in the abutting surface of the lens holder 21. The lens holder issecured to the base by means of a set screw 26, which may be loosened ortightened to permit rotation of the lens holder or to draw together theholder and base in the adjusted position. Engagement of projection 25and one of the registering serrations 26 cooperates with the frictionalengagement between the body and the enlarged head of the set screw toeffectually prevent further rotation of the holder while the screw 28 istight.

In each form of the invention the longitudinal axis of the reflectinglens unit is non-coincident with the axis of its movement on the basemember and the direction of the lens longitudinal axis may be varied toadjust the lens as required.

Each of the forms illustrated is simple and rugged and thus adapted foruse along the highways and at the same time may be easily adjustedwithout the necessity of shifting the entire marker. Obviously, variousdetails of the embodiments illustrated may be varied as will occur tothose skilled in the art, and exclusive use of all such modifications ascome within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

l. A trafiic marker comprising a base part for attachment to a supportand having a portion forming a curved seat, a body part having a portionmovably fitting against said seat, a reflecting lens unit immovable onsaid body part with its longitudinal axis disposed to be shifted todifierent directions when said parts are moved relative to each other, aslot in one of said parts, and a screw threaded in the other of saidparts and extending through said slot, the screw head overlapping theedges of said slot and preventing separation of said parts with saidscrew in operative position, said screw serving to frictionally securesaid parts in the selected adjustment and said head being enclosedbetween said body part and said support and being inaccessible forVarying said adjustment when said base part is attached to the support.

2. A traffic marker comprising a base part having a surface forattachment to a support said base part having a slot, a body partseating against said base part and including a reflecting lens unit, anda screw threaded in said body part and extending through said slot, saidscrew cooperating with said parts to prevent separation of the same, toguide the relative movement thereof, or immovably secure the same in theselected adjustment, the screw head being enclosed between said bodypart and said support and being inaccessible for varying said adjustmentwhen said base part is attached to the support.

3. A trafiic marker comprising a base member for direct fixed attachmentto a support, a housing rotatably mounted on said base member, areflecting lens unit immovably secured in said housing, the longitudinalaxis of said lens unit being noncoincident with the axis of rotation ofsaid housing on said base member, means for immovably securing saidhousing in adjusted position on said base member independently of meansused for attaching said base member to a support, said securing meansincluding a manually operable element within said base member forlocking or releasing said securing means, said element being covered bya support when said base member is attached thereto.

4. A tra-fiic marker comprising a base member having a side forming aseat facing in one direction and having a side arranged for direct fixedattachment to a support and provided with an opening, a body memberrotatably mounted on said seat, a reflecting lens unit carried by saidbody member with its longitudinal axis disposed at an angle to the axisof rotation of said body member on said base member, there beingelements on opposing faces of said base member and said body memberarranged to positively interengage to prevent relative rotation whensaid parts are drawn together, and means for assembling said base memberand body member and, when tightened, to draw said base member and saidbody member together, said means being surrounded by said base memberand covered by a support on which said base member is mounted.

LEWIS S. MURPHY.

